“Livlaus”, which is out on Dark Essence Records on the 11th September, is a concept album that takes as its subject the efforts of a lost soul to find peace in the Kingdom of the Dead, and was inspired by the forests and sulphur mines that surround Stord, the hometown of drummer Rune Nesse. With a much darker and uncompromising feel than its predecessor “Crimson Canvas”, “Livlaus” was recorded live in the studio, with vocals added later, to create an album filled with atmospheric melodies, haunting vocals and intense blast beats.

The seven-track album was mixed by Iver Sandoy at the Solslottet Studio and mixed by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen. Aside from Hoest, “Livlaus” also features a guest appearance from TAAKE bassist V’gandr (HELHEIM). Artwork is by Tom Korsvold. Track listing as follows:

ORKAN was originally founded in 2008 by TAAKE’s live guitarist Gjermund Fredheim and ex- BYFROST drummer Rune Nesse, and the lineup was completed with the addition of former GRIMNORTH bassist Sindre Hillesdal and frontman Einar Fjelldal (ex-GRAVEMACHINE). It is this lineup that will join the upcoming TAAKE European tour along with Dark Essence Records label-mates KRAKOW and the 3RD ATTEMP, as well as DOMINANZ. Routing as follows:

Fan-filmed footage of ORKAN playing the track “Deus Vicit” from their debut album “Crimson Canvas”, at CCO in Lyon during their tour with TAAKE and HELHEIM in 2013 can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/farFAII2D-g